A Life of Gratitude

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 It's God's will that His children be thankful in all circumstances. That is really the point of this blog. It's hard to believe but I started writing A Life Of Gratitude in 2011. That's five years of being more aware of God's goodness and continuously sharing all the things I am grateful for. Honestly, it has changed me. Searching for things to be grateful for, in all situations, will make you a happier, more content, easy-going person. Looking for beauty in life instead of things to complain about, will make you more positive and light-hearted. Maybe that's why it's God's will for us. He wants what's best for us and He knows that gratitude changes things! Thanksgiving Day is a time for us to ponder all the things we have to be thankful for and to spend time with the folks that help make life so special. For me, ...

I had my 12 week check up today. All was going well until the doctor couldn't find the baby's heart beat. My heart nearly stopped beating as I listened but didn't hear that sweet little thumping sound.  I prayed and prayed as I waited on the ultrasound technician to do an unscheduled ultrasound. My mind was whirling, playing out all sorts of scenarios, worrying about how my boys would react, and struggling not to let fear take over. Out of nowhere I felt a peace come over me. I know the Holy Spirit was right there with me. Suddenly I wasn't afraid, just excited to see my baby on the ultrasound. As she started the sonogram, I saw my teensy baby wiggling all around. And then, that amazing sound....the heartbeat!!! 170 beats per minute to be exact!! My heart nearly burst with excitement as she measured the baby and I watched its legs kick around.  Today I am incredibly grateful for my baby's heart beat! As an expecting Mommy, you always wonder how things...

 The Shaw Family absolutely looooooves Christmas! I think each of us would say it's our favorite holiday! The boys have been asking me to decorate since November 1st. I wasn't quite ready since I've been feeling sort of puny, but yesterday, I gave in and we started decorating!  Tonight we finished the last tree and put all the boxes back in the attic. It feels so good once its all done! I had fun decorating this year, pulling out some Christmas decor that was my mom's when she was younger and some that belonged to my Grandmother. I even have one nativity set that was hand painted in 1930 in Italy, it belonged to my Great Grandmother.  I love having these special things that have been in the family for so long! I also enjoyed looking at the different ornaments and crafts that my boys have made in years past. I try to make something different each year. I love putting those special decorations out! I was thinking as we hung our stockings and put up ornaments, how e...

My boys and I started working on some special homemade Christmas gifts for their LIFE class teachers. We spent the evening make homemade Peppermint Sugar Scrub! It was pretty easy and the boys had so much fun making it! I think they turned out really pretty too!  Today I am thankful for a fun evening making homemade gifts with my fellas. I enjoy working on projects with them, its so much fun! Plus, it's good quality time together. Dylan was especially helpful! He made the sugar scrub, filled the jars, and cut the paper to make these jars look festive. It's so hard for me to believe how big he is now!! I am also thankful to have a head start on Christmas crafts! We always enjoy making all sorts of things during the holidays. This was a fun way to start the Christmas season!

I'm currently in my 10th week of pregnancy. This has historically been the worst week of my pregnancies. With all of my previous pregnancies, I was miserable during the tenth week. I was even hospitalized with Evan in the 10th week. Morning sickness has been a nightmare for me through all of my pregnancies. I actually suffer from hyperemesis guarvardium, which is not your typical morning sickness. It's severe. It's terrible! Since we found out I was expecting our fourth child, I have been worried about how I would take care of my family and homeschool my boys while dealing with the terrible morning sickness I usually endure. My family, especially my sweet Evan, started praying for me immediately. Their prayers were specific...that I wouldn't be sick like I usually am. At week 7, I started feeling pretty weak and nauseous. I knew it was coming. Evan prayed. I made it through a week of Legoland and Disney world. I didn't feel "great" but I was able to d...

Today was all about celebrating LIFE for me!! I got to see my sweet bundle of joy for the first time today with an ultrasound at my doctor's appointment and then, I got to be apart of the New Life Family Outreach Annual Gala.  I might be more sentimental than most but today was special for me! Almost 6 months ago I finally shared a secret that had plagued me for 17 years. Telling the world you've had an abortion, is NOT easy to do, but God has blessed me with so much freedom since then, I wish I stopped hiding sooner! Since sharing my secret, I have become a board member for the New Life Family Outreach Center. I've also found out that I'm expecting our fourth child. Being able to celebrate BOTH of those blessings on the same day, was so precious for me. My God is so good! He smiles on those who follow Him in obedience and blesses those who trust His ways. "Is this your usual way of dealing with men, O LORD God?"  Samuel 7:19b   Our littlest on...